Over the years many people have suggested a school start time change for high schoolers. Research showing that developing teenagers need at least nine hours of sleep. However, that amount of sleep is not being reached due to the early high school start time. The proposed changes range from a mere 30 minute push back in high school start time to switching the start time of elementary schoolers and high schoolers leaving middle school where it is.
Most of the plans or proposed ideas require the purchase of new buses. The cost of one bus is $110,000. With every bus having an annual operating cost of $73,500. The most expensive plan nearly doubles the current fleet of school buses owned and operated by Orange County Public Schools. That plan would cost $44,650,000 and the cheapest costing around $3,000,000.
Nearly 45 million does not including the cost to keep them running as well as fuel. Is it worth such a large amount of money just to get another 30 minutes of sleep? To put this number in perspective a new Apple MacBook costs $1,299. With $44,650,000 Orange County Public Schools could buy 34,372 Apple MacBooks. The question being is it worth it to spend such a large amount of money on 30 minutes of sleep? According to Media Specialist Pat Franklin, a “push back of 30 or 45 min would go well.” An idea given by Franklin was, “use the lynx bus system to support transportation.” Others show less confidence such as Mike Weams the 11th and 12th grade dean who believes, “the effectiveness of such a change depends on the individual student.” However, Mia Forsman believes, “A 30 minute push back in start time would not have a large effect on in school effectiveness.” In the end you can never make everyone happy but which option makes the most people happy?
